SALARY RANGE:

OPEN PERIOD:

SERIES & GRADE:

AD-0101/0110/1530-04

POSITION INFORMATION:

Full-time. -
Permanent.

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

04

DUTY LOCATIONS:

Few vacancies in the following location(s):Arlington, VA, USView Map22230View Map

WHO MAY APPLY:

Applications will be accepted from US Citizens. Due to a recent change in Federal Appropriations Law, only Non-Citizens who are permanent US residents and actively seeking citizenship can be considered. Therefore, you are required to provide documentation that confirms you are actively seeking citizenship at the time you submit your application. Non-citizens who do not provide documentation will not be considered.

JOB SUMMARY:

"Monster/Hiring Management will be unavailable/offline on Sunday, December 16, 2012. You will not be able to apply for this job announcement during this time, therefore the closing date is extended to Monday, December 24, 2012."

Become a part of our mission to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the US science and engineering enterprise. For over 60 years, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has remained the premier Federal agency supporting basic research at the frontiers of discovery across all fields, as well as science and engineering education at all levels.

The NSF is seeking a candidate for a Senior Social Scientist/Science Resources Analyst within the Science and Engineering Indicators Program (SEI) in the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), Arlington, VA.

SEI produces two Congressionally mandated reports and other analyses on a broad range of topics relating to science and technology (S&T) in the United States and globally. SEI analyzes and reports data in the following areas: K-12 mathematics and science education; higher education in science and engineering (S&E); the science and engineering workforce; U.S. and international research and development; innovation; outputs and influence of S&E research, including analyses of scientific publication patterns (bibliometrics); economic application of S&E knowledge; international competitiveness of knowledge intensive economies; and public attitudes towards and knowledge of S&T. SEIproduces quantitatively based, policy neutral, policy relevant, and balanced analyses using a broad range of indicators. S&T policy makers in the federal government and elsewhere use SEI analyses and reports to understand the U.S. S&T enterprise in its global setting and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. S&T and innovation system. For more information about NCSES and its Programs, please visit http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

DUTIES:

As a Social Scientist (Science Resources Analyst) for the SEI program, you will be responsible for:

Preparing a substantial portion of the Congressionally mandated Science and Engineering Indicators report, either as lead author of a specific chapter or major contributing author to two or more chapters.

Preparing technical analyses and studies in one or more topic areas listed in the job summary. This involves applying sophisticated principles and techniques drawn from the fields of statistics, economics, and other relevant social science disciplines to devise and execute analytic strategies that extract and report significant findings from large and complex databases. It also involves developing appropriate study designs and managing projects to ensure successful completion.

Identifying data sources and assessing their relevance and quality for illuminating patterns and trends in the U.S. and international S&T and innovation systems.

Cultivating and maintaining contacts with national, international, and multinational organizations with a view to developing and maintaining comparability of U.S. and international data.

Preparing and processing precise statements of work and other documents necessary for contract and grant competitions on topics for which you are responsible. Managing project awards in accordance with relevant regulations and policy.

Working in a team setting with colleagues from other disciplines, including statisticians, survey managers, and other analysts, to bring together diverse perspectives on topics in your area of responsibility, build effective analytic strategies, and create improved indicators.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Applicants must have an earned Ph.D. degree or equivalent experience in social sciences, economics, statistics, mathematics, survey research, or another quantitatively oriented field with substantial course work or experience in research methodology and statistics. In addition, applicants must have at least six years experience and possess knowledge of social science theories, perspectives, and analytical tools and must demonstrate ability to use this knowledge to extract significant findings from quantitative data.

Applicants must possess sufficient knowledge of statistics and survey research methodology to oversee the analysis of complex survey data. Applicants must possess expert knowledge of one or more of the topic areas listed in the job summary or demonstrate the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge by leveraging pre-existing, related social science knowledge. Applicants must have or be able to rapidly acquire an in-depth understanding of the U.S. and international S&T policy context and the issues of concern to national policy makers. Applicants must be skilled in explaining in writing the major findings from analyses of quantitative data, the contextual information necessary to interpret these data, and the ways these data bear on issues of concern to national policy makers. This includes demonstrated ability to craft prose and graphics that are both generally accessible to educated, non-expert readers and usable by experts who need accurate technical information.

You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date of the job announcement. You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.

All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

This Social Scientist position is in the bargaining unit.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and research relevant to the duties of the position. We strongly encourage you to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.

Quality Ranking Factors

1. Expert knowledge of social science theories, perspectives, and analytical tools and demonstrated ability to use this knowledge to generate significant findings from quantitative data. Expert knowledge of one or more of the topic areas listed in the job summary or demonstrated experience to rapidly acquire such knowledge by leveraging pre-existing, related social science knowledge. In-depth understanding of the U.S. and international S&T policy context and the issues of concern to national policy makers or demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire such an understanding.

2. Demonstrated experience in analyzing and authoritatively summarizing key findings from statistical, survey, and other quantitative data, preferably in the topic areas listed above. This includes sufficient knowledge of statistics and survey research methodology to oversee the analysis of complex survey data. This also includes demonstrated skill in presenting information in prose and graphics that are accessible to educated, non-expert readers but also usable by experts who need accurate technical information (i.e., to users of publications similar to S&E Indicators).

3. Demonstrated experience in working individually, as a team leader, and as a team member on major multidisciplinary analytical projects, working under tight and firm deadlines, and producing analysis products that are both policy relevant and policy neutral.

BENEFITS:

A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation is conveniently located one block from the Ballston Metro Station, a few blocks from Routes 66 and 50, and about three miles from downtown Washington. Employees may rent parking spaces in the building garage. There are many shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. Employees receive the Federal benefits package and NSF offers:

Pre-tax parking

Public transportation subsidy

Child development center on site

Child care subsidy

Flexible working hours

Telecommuting

Physical fitness facility on site

NSF Federal Credit Union on site

Health services unit on site

Employee assistance program

OTHER INFORMATION:

If you do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility, you will not obtain civil service status if selected. If you are currently in the competitive civil service, you will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected.

HOW TO APPLY:

Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and all required documents successfully faxed or uploaded before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Frequently Asked Questions.

WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

If you are unable to apply electronically, please use the Contact Information below for special instructions on how to submit your application materials. Hearing impaired individuals may call TDD (703) 292-5090 for assistance.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Non-Citizens who are permanent US residents and actively seeking citizenship are required to provide documentation that confirms you are actively seeking citizenship at the time you submit your application. Non-Citizens who do not provide documentation will not be considered.

You are strongly encouraged to submit a current performance appraisal and/or letters(s) of recommendation. Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to submit a supplemental statement that describes how your background relates to the Quality Ranking Factors listed in the Qualifications and Evaluation Requirements section of this announcement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.

You can fax or upload your letter of recommendation(s) or the individual(s) can email the letter of recommendation(s) to adsearch@nsf.gov; please ask him/her to put your name and the job announcement number in the subject line.

Faxing Instructions: Please print out the appropriate fax coversheet(s) and follow the instructions carefully. All faxing must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the job announcement closing date. Please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed document(s).

Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials.

We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey Form. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.

All document faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Shortly after the announcement closes, you will be notified as to whether or not you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you do, you will receive further consideration and evaluation. If the position is in the bargaining unit, and your application is referred to the selecting official, you will be contacted for an interview. Interviews for positions not in the bargaining unit may be conducted at the discretion of the selecting official. All qualified applicants will receive final notification of the outcome of the job opportunity announcement.

You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website.